Tikanga first
We respect Māori protocol, marae, tangata whenua and the relationships that make each experience possible.
Founder-led · Six guests maximum
Experience Aotearoa like a local.
Small-group cultural and food journeys across Canterbury and the wider South Island, grounded in tikanga, local kai and genuine connection.
Christchurch · Canterbury · Te Waipounamu
Tikanga first · Journey second
The journey to the journey
First, you are welcomed. Then the journey begins.
Before modern tourism, visitors did not simply arrive and walk into another community's world. There were protocols, relationships and tikanga around how people were received.
Our core North, South, East and West journeys begin with a marae-based cultural welcome. Guests are introduced to tikanga, karakia, kōrero and shared kai before heading out on their regional journey.
Culture is not treated as a performance or an add-on. It provides the foundation from which the wider experience begins.
Tikanga first. Journey second.
A different way to travel
Slower. More conscious. Connected.
Haere Ki Te Kai Tours is not simply taking you somewhere. We invite you into a way of travelling shaped by people, place and culture.
Founder-led
Every journey is personally guided by Frankie Miharo, from the first welcome to the journey home.
Maximum six
Small by design, creating space for conversation, spontaneity and genuine engagement.
Accessible premium
Personal attention and depth of experience without traditional luxury-tour pricing.
Explore the five journeys
Choose your direction.
Christchurch sits at the centre of our tourism compass. From here, each direction tells a different story.
North · Ocean
Cheviot & Kaikōura
Travel north through Canterbury toward the dramatic coastline of Kaikōura. Land, ocean, food and story on an overnight journey, returning via a Waipara winery.
- Tourist
- $432
- Local
- $355
Per person
South · Mountains
Aoraki / Mount Cook
Our premium overnight journey south through the Mackenzie Basin and into the Southern Alps, with time to explore, connect and take in the landscape.
- Tourist
- $481
- Local
- $355
Per person
East · Heritage
Banks Peninsula & Akaroa
A relaxed journey through volcanic landscapes and harbour communities. Kai in Lyttelton, time beside the water at Ōkains Bay, then Akaroa fish and chips and a Hilltop sunset.
- Tourist
- $210
- Local
- $150
Per person
West · Adventure
Sheffield, Kura Tāwhiti & Oxford
High-country landscapes, an iconic Sheffield pie and the limestone formations of Kura Tāwhiti, with an ATV mountain experience and a classic country stop in Oxford.
- Tourist
- $222
- Local
- $150
Per person
Sky · Sunset & Stars
Banks Peninsula after dark
Shorter. Slower. Later. Follow the changing mood of the land from harbour and Summit Road viewpoints through sunset to fish and chips beside the water, then out under the Canterbury night sky for stargazing and kōrero around the Southern Cross, Māori star knowledge and Polynesian navigation.
- Tourist
- $185
- Local
- $120
Per person
Every journey is curated end-to-end. Just grab an overnight bag, sit back and relax.
A playful thread through every journey
The Great New Zealand Pie & Fish & Chips Trail
A celebration of two genuine New Zealand favourites, woven into a much bigger story of people, towns, landscapes and regional identity.
We seek out memorable local bakeries, classic fish-and-chip stops and the communities behind them.
Sometimes the best way to understand a place is simply to eat where the locals eat.
Signature & seasonal journeys
Limited departures. Experiences that cannot be rushed.
Special journeys connected with seasonal events, unique locations or significant cultural occasions. Capacity remains small because protecting the quality of the experience, our cultural relationships and the integrity of each journey matters more than increasing numbers.
From $650 - $750+ per guest
Register your interestNot designed for everyone.
Haere Ki Te Kai Tours is for travellers who want more than photographs and sightseeing. People who are curious about the place they are visiting and want to understand something of its people, stories, food and culture.
Every Haere Ki Te Kai Tours journey is personal, founder-led and grounded in tikanga. We do not compromise on group size, cultural integrity or the depth of the experience.
It is designed for those who want to experience Aotearoa properly, through its people, its kai, its stories and its landscapes, with heart and respect.
Frankie Miharo
Founder & guide
Small groups. · Real people. · Local kai. · Extraordinary landscapes. · Authentic connection.
Space to slow down, connect and experience Aotearoa differently
Where will you go?
Your journey begins with a conversation.
Tell us what draws you to Aotearoa and we will help you choose the journey that fits.